Annual recognition
The most prestigious recognition for First Nations commercial achievement within Australia's resources, energy, and critical minerals sectors. Benchmarking outstanding operational capability, corporate innovation, and the executive leaders driving long-term economic equity.
Nominate for 2026
The AEMEE National Awards recognise the boldest Indigenous businesses, energy leaders, sector changemakers, and collaborations shaping the future of resources and energy in Australia. These awards honour outstanding achievements, leadership, and innovation while showcasing the impact of Indigenous business in driving sustainable economic development.
You can nominate your own business, a business you work with, or a leader you believe deserves national recognition. The nominations are assessed by an independent judging panel against the award criteria.
We highly recommend you review the info pack before completing the form. Answers cannot be saved so please complete in one sitting.
Award categories
Recognizing standout performance, community leadership, and structural equity across every tier of the industry.
Celebrating an established, 100% Indigenous-owned enterprise delivering exceptional operational capability, world-class safety compliance, and reliable commercial execution on major project packages.
Recognising a high-potential emerging First Nations enterprise, trading for less than three years, that demonstrates rapid commercial growth, structural innovation, and clear sector scale.
Honouring pioneering First Nations leadership, environmental stewardship, and equity integration within renewable energy transitions, sustainability initiatives, and mine site rehabilitation.
Awarded to a tier-one resource major, operator, or prime contractor demonstrating outstanding institutional commitment to supply chain diversity, verification, and sustainable procurement equity.
Celebrating an exceptional joint venture, formalised alliance, or shared capability initiative that delivers deep commercial integration, transparency, and shared wealth on Country.
Honouring an individual executive leader or advocate whose tireless institutional work, mentorship, and vision has substantially advanced Indigenous participation in the national economy.
Independent Judging Panel
All nominations will be reviewed and scored by an independent judging panel made up of respected leaders from across the resources, energy, and Indigenous business sectors. The judging process is designed to ensure fairness, integrity, and transparency, with awards granted purely on merit and alignment with the criteria for each category.
Indigenous owned businesses, individuals, and collaborations working in or connected to the resources and energy sector are welcome to apply. Specific eligibility details are set out under each category above.
No, there is no cost to submit an application.
Applications can be self nominated or submitted by someone else on your behalf, such as a colleague, partner organisation, or industry contact.
Yes, you may submit applications in more than one category where your business or achievements meet the relevant criteria. Please complete a separate application for each category.
Previous entrants are welcome to apply again in future years. Category winners are asked not to apply in the same category in the year immediately following their win, so that recognition can be shared across the sector. Winners are welcome to apply again in later years, or in a different category, once their achievements have progressed.
You will receive a confirmation once your application has been submitted through the online form.
All applications are reviewed and scored by the independent judging panel against the published assessment criteria. Finalists and winners will be notified ahead of the awards ceremony. See above for dates.
For any questions about the application process, categories, or the event, please contact the AEMEE Awards team at info@aemee.org.au.
Honouring Excellence
For over two decades, the AEMEE Excellence Awards have shone a national spotlight on the extraordinary capability, commercial resilience, and structural growth of Indigenous-owned enterprises across Australia.
These awards celebrate more than operational success; they recognise the businesses, corporate leaders, and joint-venture alliances that are converting commercial wins into multi-generational wealth, permanent regional jobs, and genuine economic self-reliance on Country.
Past Recipients
A visual celebration of the visionary teams, qualified tradespeople, and industry trailblazers honoured at our national gala events.
Excellence Awards
Nominations for the 2026 AEMEE Excellence Awards are officially open. Any verified Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander business, executive leader, or corporate initiative supplying the resources, renewable energy, or critical minerals sectors is eligible.
Putting forward a nomination is more than just entering a competition—it is a powerful opportunity to elevate community success onto the national stage and showcase true operational capability to major resource sector buyers. Whether highlighting an emerging innovator or a highly established enterprise delivering tier-one industrial services, these awards formalise and celebrate the leaders who are actively redefining economic self-determination on Country.
The AEMEE Excellence Awards celebrate the extraordinary capability and resilience ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businessesin Australia's resources sector. We honour every nominee and finalist — excellence takes many forms.
Historical archive
From early member gatherings to national conferences, awards nights, and industry showcases, the AEMEE archive captures the moments that helped shape Indigenous participation in Australia's resources sector. By preserving this collective journey, the archive serves as both a testament to two decades of structural progress and a foundational roadmap as we head towards our next major chapter at Broome 2026.
Join the next chapter of AEMEE history
Secure your corporate presence, partner with national industry leaders, and benchmark true commercial excellence at our upcoming forums.